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First 802.11 Wireless Movie Theater?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the remember-the-alamo-drafthouse dept.

vern@austin802.11.com writes: "Imagine being able to IRC someone to pass the popcorn! The Austin Wireless Group has helped establish what may well be the country's first Wireless Enabled Theatre. The Alamo Draft House movie theater in Austin, Texas now has 802.11b wireless broadband Internet access that covers all screens in their complex. This "retrofit" theater had every other row replaced with tables and offers dinner and drinks with the show. So, you can park your laptop, order a burger/beer, then email in a movie review all w/o disturbing your fellow patrons. Cool! :)"

3 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. what is the point? by progbuc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Movies are for being engrossed in a different world. If people have so little free time that they must read their email during a movie, what is the point of going to the movie at all?

    --
    Go ahead and waste your life with your inhibitions, just don't ruin other people's lives with your intolerances.
  2. I think _I_ would be disturbed. by SamIIs · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, you can park your laptop, order a burger/beer, then email in a movie review all w/o disturbing your fellow patrons.

    I hate to burst this capitalistic bubble, but I'm pretty sure I would be disturbed by my fellow patrons typing and ordering.

    We've all sat in computer labs before, and I bet we go somewhere else to watch movies. Now, if they used this networking to offer HEADPHONES for the movie, I'd be psyched. Not only would it block the munching and tapping, but it would allow much stronger stereo and volume.

  3. The reverse by jchristopher · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The first movie theater chain that DISABLES all wireless access on their premises will get ALL my moviegoing dollars. No phones, no laptops, no beeping pagers or PDAs.

    I'm dead serious. I, and most people I know, would choose a wireless disabled theater every time. I would spend extra money. I would drive further across town to get there.

    Someday, someone is going to realize that there is a market for such a theater. If it doesn't happen, I predict that we will start to see "theater rage", and I'm not joking. I don't consider myself a violent person, but I've been on the verge of punching another patron on several occassions, and I don't think I'm alone.